Posted on Jan 16, 2023
988 Lifeline sees boost in use and funding in first months
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https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/01/16/ [login to see] /988-lifeline-sees-boost-in-use-and-funding-in-first-months
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline received over 1.7 million calls, texts and chats in its first five months. That's nearly half a million more than the old 10-digit Suicide Prevention Lifeline fielded during the same period the year before.
Launched in mid-July last year, the 988 number is modeled on the 911 system and is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people who are suicidal or in any other mental health crisis to a trained mental health professional.
"We see the uptick in volume as an indicator that more people are aware of the service and are able to access it," says Kimberly Williams, the president and CEO of Vibrant Emotional Health, the non-profit that oversees the national 988 network of nearly 200 crisis centers spread across the nation.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline received over 1.7 million calls, texts and chats in its first five months. That's nearly half a million more than the old 10-digit Suicide Prevention Lifeline fielded during the same period the year before.
Launched in mid-July last year, the 988 number is modeled on the 911 system and is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people who are suicidal or in any other mental health crisis to a trained mental health professional.
"We see the uptick in volume as an indicator that more people are aware of the service and are able to access it," says Kimberly Williams, the president and CEO of Vibrant Emotional Health, the non-profit that oversees the national 988 network of nearly 200 crisis centers spread across the nation.
988 Lifeline sees boost in use and funding in first months
Posted from npr.org
Suicide
Mental Health
Depression
Posted >1 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Other mental health care services
Despite the recent boost in the network's performance, 988 counselors can only do so much to help people with ongoing mental health needs.
"There's a significant shortage of social workers and mental health professionals that people can see," Jansen says. "And so people wind up at places that have long waiting lists."
There's also a shortage of other crisis-related services, says Williams, like mobile crisis teams that support people in their homes and communities, and crisis stabilization units – sort of like mental health urgent care – that can support people outside of a hospital setting.
"Many communities don't have this range of services available to support people," she says.
"States need to be investing long-term, ongoing resources in building out mental health crisis services that people need when they're experiencing emotional distress."
But she, and other mental health care advocates remain hopeful that now that 988 is up and running, and reaching more people, states will eventually start to invest in other parts of the mental health care system.
..."Other mental health care services
Despite the recent boost in the network's performance, 988 counselors can only do so much to help people with ongoing mental health needs.
"There's a significant shortage of social workers and mental health professionals that people can see," Jansen says. "And so people wind up at places that have long waiting lists."
There's also a shortage of other crisis-related services, says Williams, like mobile crisis teams that support people in their homes and communities, and crisis stabilization units – sort of like mental health urgent care – that can support people outside of a hospital setting.
"Many communities don't have this range of services available to support people," she says.
"States need to be investing long-term, ongoing resources in building out mental health crisis services that people need when they're experiencing emotional distress."
But she, and other mental health care advocates remain hopeful that now that 988 is up and running, and reaching more people, states will eventually start to invest in other parts of the mental health care system.
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